I accompanied dad to the general hospital yesterday. The ear specialist wanted to see me. Deep down I know it is nothing serious but still I can’t stop worrying.
The doctor explained that the audio test indicated that dad has a hearing deficiency for both ears. Graphs showed that the status is between medium to profound, which means it will not get better, either maintain or can be worsen. Doctor recommended that he needs hearing aid for both ears. There are a list of procedures to be done because dad is ex-government servant and he is entitles for a total of RM7, 000 hearing aid subsidy. I need to apply for JPA and to go Putrajaya for the request submission. Meantime, I will need to bring dad for a few hearing aid trials to get the right hearing aid.
On the way back, dad asked me whether his hearing will be cured. Although it is not a serious health problem like any chronic disease, but still I hesitated on my reply. I wonder how he feels. His usual quiet character somehow gave me a look that he is also concern. I accepted this is as part of life, another sign of aging in which I may be the same when I’m old as well.
Looking back, I questioned myself again on my return. Above all reasons, being able to be there for someone dear matters me most. This may bring up some controversies but somehow and some ways, I feel contented to be able to give my support. Some people may need not to go through all these and I wonder what God’s plan is for me and what God wants to show me.
4 comments:
If you have an opportunity to speak with other elderly people, do so. It's very interesting while they would give you a wider horizon of the life of the aged. Perhaps they might even give you a foresight into the world of your father, especially through his silent action.
I had that beautiful experience last week visiting a ninety over year old woman. Amazingly she can still walk but quite frail. During the time with her, I got to see her world of being old. I am sure your father's friends would be good opening.s
Thanks FC. Don't think I have long chat with any elderly people before but just very simple chat for awhile. And I usually often hear they like to use this "it's like that, old already, what to do"..
I wonder how is a person feel when they are getting old, when health problems slowly come in and how to accept it.. I don't think the above sentence that I heard is positive though.
Perhaps that's why it is good to "hear" what they are not saying. I guess that's a skill to hear that as well. Sometimes they don't tell you directly but expected you to know. It would certainly be nice and clear if conversation can be direct but more often than not, they are not.
The sentence you wrote is also an indication of not enjoying life but rather of disappointments. Hey, I got a book if you are interested. It's called "Difficult Conversation" a fantastic book that teaches you to hear the underlying meaning of the other as well.
In order to understand more, I will need to hear what is not said. Yes, the sentence that was told to me is not positive. It's like they have no control of life, and one can't do much and just accept that that is a fact of life. To live happily or not is a question.
For my dad, he is quite selective with the conversation topic. Perhaps he is a man with less word in certain topics. For an instance, if I were to ask him about his feelings or his opinion about more serious things, he keeps quiet. At times, I ask twice just to get him to answer but I still do not get the answer that I want to hear. All in all, sometimes, I really don't know how he feels and what he thinks inside. And it made me feel I do not know my father well.
The book sounded interesting. Can borrow ahh?
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